Nadja Rating: Release Date: 25 July, 2000 Retail Price: $24.98 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: Elina Löwensohn Peter Fonda Suzy Amis Martin Donovan (II) Complete Cast (7 total)

Nadja Reviews

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I love vampire films, I hated Nadja
I gave this film two stars out of pity for the two amazing lead actresses who were stuck in this horrible film. The story is a mish mosh of cliche vampire lore extrapolated from every bad Dracula remake you've ever seen.

The black and white cinematography is wonderfully stark and gothic in some scenes only to be ruined by a cheesy (and grainy) mosaic (pixelization) effect in others. That mosaic filter invariably gets applied to the the few scenes in this movie that would otherwise be entertaining if you could actually make out just what the hell was going on. EVERY single time something climactic occurs the film becomes grainy and pixelated. A film school freshman could have done a better job here.

The male characters in this film though are it's true death knell. Not one of them brought anything to their scenes other than the type of boring machismo-laced melodrama that leaves me with an ichy fast-forwarding trigger finger. I had hope for Renfield (Yep, they have a character named Renfield... no dead horse left unbeaten here) but all he ever did was chainsmoke and pout. That left me with the annoying husband, the dull brother, and Peter Fonda who must've ended every day of filming with a quiet night spent cursing the soul of his agent for getting him this gig. The only low left for that guy after this is a role as "old dude #5" in the next Pauly Shore movie.

Yes its that bad, worse still if you're a fan of vampire films and bought this one on the strength of the positive reviews on this page. Do not believe those reviews, they lie I tell you. Lie! But seriously if you're looking for a half decent B/Indie vampire DVD you'd be better servered picking up "Razorblade Smile", which isn't too great either but is, at the very least, enjoyable. A quality "Nadja" is keenly lacking.

Not for everyone, but excellent choice for indie & vampire
This is a flick I'd recommend to two types: the vampire movie fan, and the indie movie fan. For indie fans, they have much originality to expect from the raw style and small budget of Nadja. It is shot with a simple digital camera and uses pixelated effects. The acting is solid. Elina Löwensohn, who plays Nadja, is brilliant. The script is fresh, despite the parallels with the original Dracula.

For vampire fans, Nadja is a must-see movie. That is, unless you prefer recycled goth-style renditions of the vampire story repeated over and over. Nadja is one of the few *modern* vampire movies that does not incorporate a form of martial arts fighting. There is a somber, crisp mood reflected from both the black and white digital film and the character script. It is a modern and fresh story which remains true to the character motives and rarely duplicated creepiness (though many have tried) of Bram Stocker's classic novel Dracula. You'll also find hidden humerous remarks throughout the film referencing aspects of 'dracula culture'.

Also, the dark theme of the music in the film (from such artists as Portishead) adds to the emotional effect the director has intended.

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